UNFSS Independent Dialogue: The Y Factor

Youth have the power to transform agri-food systems. In the lead-up to the UN Food System Summit it is important for young rural women and men to have their say, collectively set their agenda and suggest their pathway towards more equitable and youth-friendly food systems. 

This UNFSS Independent Dialogue will be an opportunity to engage youth across East African countries, particularly rural youth as an underrepresented group, to nurture ideas that can feed into the global discussion and contribute to the Summit vision while generating connections that can last beyond the event.

Participants will be representatives from rural youth networks, youth-led organizations and agribusinesses, young policymakers and diaspora youth from Eastern Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda) accompanied by representatives from the global UNFSS youth movement.

The overall objective of this Independent Dialogue is to provide a space for rural youth to take the lead and identify priority issues they would like to bring to the attention of the UNFSS, considering they are often marginalized in policy and decision-making processes. In this context, the dialogue will adopt a gender and inclusivity lens to address the specific needs and priorities of young rural women and men.